The Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union of the Trades Union Congress (TEWU-TUC), Ghana, has denounced an ongoing strike by a breakaway group, the Tertiary Education Workers’ Union (TEWU-GH), calling it illegal and disruptive to public university operations.
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The strike action follows the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued by TEWU-GH on June 24, 2025, demanding recognition of its representatives on the governing councils of traditional universities. However, TEWU-TUC insists that the strike has no legal foundation and threatens to destabilize the academic calendar.
“This action is not a genuine pursuit of justice but rather a desperate and unlawful move by a breakaway group to undermine industrial peace and disrupt the smooth functioning of public universities,” TEWU-TUC said in a statement signed by its General Secretary, King James Azortibah, on Friday, July 4.
TEWU-TUC reaffirmed its status as the only legally recognized union representing educational workers in public universities. The union referenced a letter from the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) dated August 2, 2023, confirming its possession of the Collective Bargaining Certificate, as per Section 99 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651).
The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) also backed TEWU-TUC in a letter dated June 18, 2025, instructing all public universities to disregard TEWU-GH’s representatives and recognize only those from TEWU-TUC.
In response to the strike, TEWU-TUC has called on its members across the country to remain calm, continue their work, and reject what it described as “diversionary antics” by the rival group.
“We urge our loyal members to stay focused and treat this illegal strike with the contempt it deserves,” the statement added.
TEWU-TUC assured members of its continued efforts to protect their interests and engage stakeholders to improve conditions of service.
